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Ongoing: Press On at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center
Press On at Pyramid Atlantic can hardly contain itself—the studio and gallery space opened up part of the building that will soon be developed for long-term use to temporarily expand the gallery for this juried exhibit of letterpress artistry. Pyramid’s own facilities and artists show how contemporary old-school printing presses can be, and this show brings in an international group of makers who are similarly pushing the limits of wood and metal type. Some artists bring fresh and current lingo and imagery into their work, some create mind-bending book formats, some use metallics and Day-Glo colors that definitely weren’t in Johannes Gutenberg’s cabinet, and some incorporate a mix of materials and media along with letterpress. Andre Lee Bassuet takes combining materials to new heights by using Lego blocks, both as decorative elements and as something to be inked and printed. It’s fitting that a juvenile material is often applied to creating different geometric renderings of breasts, or as the piece is more simply called, boobs. Laser cutting is put to use making ultra-precise line work on carved wood blocks in Olivia Childress’ charming prints of animal skeletons and native Indiana cryptids. “Introversion” by Sara Blumberg features just a tiny bit of ink but a lot of indentation—an upside-down American flag is embossed into the paper, inkless, with the words “introverts quietly resist” across the middle. Some don’t use the “letter” part of letterpress at all and simply print other kinds of carvings on a press, like Elaisha Hilliard, who makes contemplative, vibrant portraits this way. The more than 100 works on display include not only traditional printed posters and books, but cyanotype prints, fabric printing and quilting, riso printing, pulp painting, and hand-blown glass. All works are available for sale, at least the ones that haven’t sold yet, and they can be viewed online, but it’s worth really seeing the texture and depth in person.
Press On runs through July 13 at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, 4318 Gallatin St., Hyattsville. Wednesday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. pyramidatlanticartcenter.org. Free. —Stephanie Rudig
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